On 4 August 2016, The ASEAN Day Festival was held by the ASEAN Committee in Bucharest (ACB). ACB was founded on 29 May 2015 and comprised four ASEAN Embassies in Romania: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thai and Viet Nam. The outdoor event was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia which is located in Victoriei Square area, Sector 1, Bucharest. Each of the country presented their own unique cultural performances, as well as their authentic and sumptous cuisine.
The dignitaries and visitors were invited to visit each tent which represented each participating country. On cuisine, Indonesia served Indonesian fried rice, barbeque chicken skewers and the refreshing cucumber ice. The very famous Nasi Lemak, Roti Jala (net pancake) and Teh Tarik (pulled tea) from Malaysia were available for everyone to taste. Thailand presented Roasted Duck in Red Curry, Tom Yam Kung (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup), Tod Man (Fried Fish Cake) and dessert “Ruam Mitr” (Mixed Fruits and Grains in Coconut Milk) . Meanwhile, Viet Nam served Nem Gà Rán (chicken Vietnamese traditional spring rolls), Tôm Tẩm Bột (golden pané fried tiger shrimp) and Chè đỗ Xanh (covered soy green – dessert).
As for performances, Indonesia presented Tari Merak (peacock dance) as a welcoming dance and angklung choir (bamboo instruments). It was followed by enchanting musical piece by a famous xylophone player from the Royal Thai Embassy and, part of the Vietnamese Embassy’s courtesy, a concert interpretation by Vietnamese artists, accompanied of the Đàn bầu (monochord traditional instrument).
The courtyard was full of visitors fascinated by the variety and distinctiveness of culture in South East Asian countries, as well as the sumptuous food offered from each of the ASEAN country in the Festival.
The Association of South East Asian Nation, or well-known as ASEAN, is a regional grouping of countries in the region which was established in 1967. ASEAN will be celebrating its 50th anniversary (golden jubilee) in 2017. It started as an organization of five countries, ASEAN now has ten member countries which strive to be a strong political, economic and socio-cultural community.
In 2014, the region was the seventh-largest economic power in the world and among the most advanced integrated markets. It was also the third-largest economy in Asia, with a combined GDP of US$2.6 trillion – higher than in India. And it has the potential to become the fourth largest by 2050 if growth trends continue. In terms of market, the potential of ASEAN’s market is deemed larger than European Union or North America. With 622 million people, ASEAN is the world’s third largest labor force which is dominated by relatively young labor force.
Bonded together, as the logo symbolizes, the governments and the peoples strive to embody the ASEAN’s slogan of ”One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
Secretary of State Alexandru Victor Micula: Romania is bringing its contribution to the framework offered by EU membership by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN states
Secretary of State for Political Analysis and Relationship with Parliament, Alexandru Victor Micula participated on Thursday, as guest of honor, in ASEAN Day Festival, hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).
The Secretary of State pointed out that EU-ASEAN relations were moving to a new level of cooperation through the joint efforts of the two sides to advance towards a strategic partnership. Romania is bringing its contribution to the framework offered by EU membership by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN states and capitalizing on the positive experience in bilateral political dialogue, trade and economic relations, adapted to global dynamics and challenges, the MAE informs.
Micula also stressed that a mutual knowledge of the culture, traditions and values creates a basis for deepening relations between people, to intensify business contacts and mutual trust. According to the secretary of state, inter-institutional and university collaboration in the fields of education, culture and science is encouraged by urging students from ASEAN states to choose Romania as a destination for their studies.
